Laura Caviani has performed and recorded for over 15 years....

Laura Caviani has performed and recorded for over 15 years. The Minneapolis Star Tribune hailed her debut CD, Dreamlife as "...in a word, outstanding". Marian McPartland called it "...sparkling and inventive". Her second release, As One, was touted as "stunningly fresh" by Jazz Times.

 

Laura jamming with Shell Lake Highschool Junior Annie Dunham at their annual Cabaret Fundraiser (Feb 08)- photo by Tom Cusick

 

Her holiday album, Angels We Haven't Heard, was considered "this season's finest new jazz cd of holiday music" by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The Star Tribune claimed her solo release, In Your Own Sweet Way was, "...poised right where the salon meets the saloon, with as much spunk as serenity." Going There, her fifth recording as a leader, is already receiving wide praise. Bob Protzman, Downbeat Contributor and WQLN-FM host called it "...piano trio jazz of the highest order."

As a sideman, Ms. Caviani has recorded and toured with the 2002 Grammy nominee Karrin Allyson (Concord Records) whose band, according to the Wall Street Journal, "...could waltz into any New York nightclub and tear up the joint...". Ms. Caviani has shared the stage with other greats as Toots Theilemans, Bob Mintzer, and Dave Liebman.

Locally, she has recorded with numerous musicians, including Quintet and Xtet, and the jazz orchestra JazzMN, all on the Artegra label. She has also recorded with Twin Cities jazz vocal greats: Lucia Newell, Prudence Johnson, and Voice Trek. In '97, Caviani received a grant from the Atlantic Center for the Arts to study with renowned pianist and composer JoAnne Brackeen. The following year, she was selected to study in Japan at the Akiyoshidai International Art Village.

As a composer, her commissions include numerous works for jazz ensembles and smaller jazz combos (some of which are currently available through Increase Music and Really Good Music) as well as orchestral works for both the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra.

Caviani has both a bachelors of music in Composition from Lawrence University, and a masters of music in Improvisation from The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. She has taught at a number of schools, including St. John's University, the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, The University of St. Thomas, and many middle schools in Minneapolis through the "Harman How to Listen Program", an outreach program co-founded by Wynton Marsalis. Currently, she is on faculty at both Carleton College and St. Olaf College, both located in Northfield, MN.

November 21st

3-4:30 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity Solo Piano Recital at Frame Memorial Church in Stevens Point, WI 1300 Main St., Stevens Point, WI Stevens Point feels like home to me, as it was the town where I first started teaching. The University holds many fond memories for me, and this community continues to be very important to me. reception and free will offering to follow performance 715-341-3040

November 23rd

7-8:30 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity Solo Piano Recital at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee, WI 1584 North Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI Pianist Mark Davis and my Aunt and Uncle, Chuck and Sue Engberg helped me to organize this recital in this lovely historic setting. reception and free will offering to follow performance 414-276-5760

November 27th

8-10 p.m.

Celebrating Women Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern College, Traverse City, MI 1701 E. Front St. Traverse City, MI 49686 Featuring the music of vocalist Claudia Schmitt saxophonist Laurie Sears, bassist Marion Hayden and drummer Gaylelynn McKinney 231-995-1055